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VTYPEX Function

Returns the type (character or numeric) for the value of the specified argument.

Categories:Variable Information
CAS
Note:This function supports the VARCHAR type.
Table of Contents
Syntax
Required Argument
Details
Comparisons
Example

Syntax

VTYPEX(expression)

Required Argument

expression

specifies a character constant, variable, or expression that evaluates to a variable name.

RestrictionThe value of the specified expression cannot denote an array reference.

Details

If the VTYPEX function returns a value to a variable that has not yet been assigned a length, by default the variable is assigned a length of 1.
VTYPEX returns N for numeric variables and C for character variables.

Comparisons

  • VTYPE returns the type of the specified variable. VTYPEX, however, evaluates the argument to determine the variable name. The function then returns the type (character or numeric) that is associated with that variable name.
  • VTYPE does not accept an expression as an argument. VTYPEX accepts expressions, but the value of the specified expression cannot denote an array reference.
  • Related functions return the value of other variable attributes, such as the variable name, informat, and format, among others. For a list, see the Variable Information functions in SAS Functions and CALL Routines by Category.

Example

The following SAS statements produce this result:
SAS Statement
Result
array x(3) x1-x3;
array vx(3) $6 vx1 vx2 vx3
   ('x1' 'x2' 'x3');
y=vtypex(vx(1));
put y=;
 
y=N
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Last updated: March 16, 2017